The Night Walk is exactly what it says on the tin, a walk in the dead of night. Having been successfully run in London for the past 3 years, The Big Issue felt it was about time they took it out of the Big Smoke to give more people the opportunity to show their support for such a fantastic cause.

Taking place in April, The Night Walk is a 25KM sponsored walk where urban ramblers will be able to experience the city in a new light whilst in the safety of an organised group. The route will let walkers take in the astounding architecture of some of the city’s most distinctive buildings. There may even be a surprise or two along the way with a sneak peek into the buildings.

This is the first time The Night Walk has taken place outside of London and Big Cat is proud to be able to provide event management support to such a fantastic cause.

All money raised on the expedition will go straight towards supporting The Big Issue foundation and the work that it does to help the homeless.

Keep your eyes peeled on The Big Issue website to see how you can get involved in The Night Walk

October 2011 saw final preparations put into place for the grand launch of Bournville College’s new multi-million pound campus in Longbridge.

Encompassing services from across all departments, Big Cat Group were tasked with officially launching the new £66 million facility.

12 months in the planning, Big Cat were awarded the contract following a competitive pitch with a number of other agencies.

The launch event was to be held for 500 VIP guests from across the country ranging from local and national dignitaries, funding bodies and supporters of the new build. The aim was to showcase the stunning new facilities which provide educational facilities for 15,000 full and part time students.

The events team managed the complete set up of the evening which included a light show, flashmob, contemporary dance, ice sculpture and an exclusive keynote speech from TV personality Chris Tarrant. Capital FM presenters Dan & Katy were also brought in to compere the evening and DJ throughout. The evening concluded with a spectacular 5 minute firework display to music from Requiem for a Dream which could be seen from across the city.

The launch was fully branded with the words ‘AMAZING’ which had been designed by Big Cat’s design team who also created a 16-page memorial guide which was placed in gift bags for all 500 guests.

The PR team managed all regional press around the launch which included interviews on BBC WM and coverage in all local papers both before and after the launch.

To hail in the digital era within the new college, a Digital Time Capsule was also created, containing over 50 images, videos and sound bites starting as early as the 1800’s.

Some of this year’s crop of festivals (not even the food specific ones) have seen the quality of their catering offering improve considerably.  At Lovebox and Wilderness this year Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts ensured that guests were very well fed.  And Wagamama and Pizza Express have also both introduced their range to festival goers.

And let’s not forget that this year has seen the launch of Jamie Oliver’s own Big Festival which brought together a host of top restaurants such as Locanda Locatelli, Wahaca and GBK alongside musical heavyweights The Charlatans, Soul II Soul and Athlete.

Jamie’s not the only celeb chef getting in on the festival act.  This year’s Harvest Festival saw Alex James (himself a food-music cross over, being the bassist from Blur and now a Cotswolds based cheese producer) hosting the Oxfordshire site with top chefs Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and Richard Corrigan appearing with The Kooks and KT Tunstall.

These festivals treat chefs as headline acts and market themselves accordingly.  In recent years the rise of the TV chef has been phenomenal (how many shows and books do Jamie and Hugh have between them?) and festival organisers recognise their broad appeal.  Add in some Radio 2 friendly bands, some improv theatre groups and boutique babysitting and hey presto – you’ve potentially got yourself a Guardian reader’s dream event!

All of these festivals recorded good attendances and the signs point towards this family friendly, music and food hybrid festival gaining in popularity.

Birmingham will be playing a key role in the celebrations as it hosts ‘Hard Times’, an award winning photography exhibition by Paul Wenham-Clarke. Launching on the 8^th September at St Martin’s in the Bullring, the project features Big Issue vendors photographed in their homes. The images are incredibly hard hitting and make you realise the conditions that some people live in, such as shop doorways, park benches, squats and hostels. The aim of the project is to raise awareness of the challenges that the homeless face and to demonstrate that it can happen to anyone, at anytime you’re not just born into it.

In conjunction with the anniversary, Birmingham will also see a number of well-known personalities take to the streets with Big Issue vendors to see how well they get on selling the publication. The vendors will show them the ropes and then leave them to their own devices, allowing them to experience a day in the life of a vendor, how they are treated and how much money they actually make.

Make sure you keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks as you walk through Birmingham City Centre as you never know who might be asking you to purchase a copy of The Big Issue.

Birmingham based marketing experience agency, Big Cat Group has this month been awarded a six month contract to assist the NEC in sourcing and delivering blockbuster events best suited for its exhibition halls, ensuring the city remains at the top for entertainment destinations.

Having brought events such as the controversial Bodies Revealed and TV smash hit CSI: The Experience to the UK, Big Cat Group will utilise its extensive range of contacts in Europe and the US to build upon the City’s entertainment calendar.

Nick Morgan, CEO of Big Cat Group said: “This is a great opportunity to further improve Birmingham’s significance as an international entertainment destination. In recent years we have seen millions of tourists flood to the city to witness shows such as X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, Batman Live, Cirque de Soleil and many more.

“Our role in this new venture will be to source global content and bring it to Birmingham. With the advancements in digital technology, theatre production and visual arts the possibilities for the city are endless.”

Chris Hartley, Business Development Director at the NEC said: “We’re delighted to be teaming up with Big Cat. We know the entertainment events market place is an area of real opportunity for us and now with Big Cat’s experience and knowledge in this sector, we can actively target it.

Physical space matters and wherever you go it is far more positive in my opinion to surround yourself in a creative environment that provides colour, art, space and inspiration. This not only applies to the office but applies to all spaces that one would use such as home, recreation and leisure and sets the scene for the attitude that you will apply to the day ahead.

With the revolution of communication some can drop a permanent work space and opt to isolate themselves in the middle of nowhere or move around different spaces for new daily inspiration. In the events industry, a specialist area of Big Cat we understand that it is important to find an inspiring venue to create an event to remember, alternatively when using a blank canvas it can be transformed into an inspiring space with the correct combination of lighting, furniture and colour.

Many conferences of today are repeatedly booked into hotels with poor light, bad carpets and dull décor that result in the need for well over 10 coffees an hour to keep delegates awake. Surely if a space makes it hard to stay awake during the day it is having a negative effect on the brain and is completely uninspiring. What you need out of a space is comfort, satisfaction, motivation, clarity and happiness. Can an inspiring space encourage these and influence our connection with the world?

Please find below some of the office spaces that I think would inspire anyone!



What is your role at Big Cat Group?

I’m the senior events and exhibitions manager at Big Cat which means I’m involved in a very diverse range of projects.  As such the specifics and responsibilities of my job vary, depending on what the particular project is.  For example in the last 6 months I’ve spent nights at various drum and bass events overseeing health and safety; I’ve organised the bar operation at a jazz festival; I’ve acted as deputy manager at the world renowned exhibition Tutankhamun – His Tomb and His Treasures, I’ve met with suppliers and manufacturers in Barcelona, I’ve unloaded and built the exhibition Princess – The World if Princesses in Dublin and I’ve also forged relationships with manufacturers in China to supply exhibition merchandise.  No two days are the same!

How did you get into events?

I’ve been involved with bars, restaurants and nightclubs for the last 15 years.  Events is a natural progression for me.  The bar and club industries share a lot similarities with the events industry.  Running a bar or club is like putting on an event every day.

What are you working on at the moment?

Right now we’re working on a project which falls under the LOCOG Open Weekend.  The event is called Jamaica LIVE! and is a one day family friendly festival.  It features live musical performances (including Dawn Penn!), stand up comedy and spoken word, dance, arts and crafts, Jamaican food stalls and drumming workshops.  Further down the line we’re organising the launch of Bourneville College’s impressive new building, an event which is going to feature some pretty cool AV tech.

What is your favourite external event?

That I’ve been involved with?  Hmm… The Mostly Jazz Festival this year was good fun.  But Star Trek: The Exploration really stands out.  This was an exhibition of Star Trek sets, props, costumes and models from all of the TV shows and Films.  Big Cat was tasked with shipping the content from LA to Spain and then constructing the show in Valencia’s stunning Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences).  It was one of the hardest projects (17 days straight, minimum 12 hour days) but really enjoyable.  The venue is amazing and the city of Valencia is beautiful.  Weather was slightly better than Birmingham too.

What is your favourite thing about Birmingham?

Cafe Soya!

Birmingham Forward is made up of over 200 companies that hold corporate membership; these are the key businesses in Birmingham; those that make Birmingham tick. Birmingham Future is for the younger generation in Birmingham, those who are finding their feet in Birmingham business circles. Birmingham Future provides a step for people to take in order to meet, network and socialise with people in equivalent positions across the Birmingham business community.

Since I began working at Big Cat five weeks ago, I have seen a number of events take place. Birmingham Forward events have varied from presentations by knowledgeable business men in Birmingham to tours around new buildings such as The Cube. Birmingham Future events have consisted of a wide variety of functions, from dinners with speakers to talks by big names in the political circle.

The recent Birmingham Future event consisting of a visit from The Right Honourable Philip Hammond MP attracted well over a hundred people to the event that took place in One Snowhill at the beginning of June.  This is a good example of how Birmingham Future events are attracting significant interest, not only throughout Birmingham but among people from outside the immediate Birmingham community.  The attendees not only came to listen to what had to be said about the HS2 plan, but also had the opportunity to question the Secretary of State for Transport. With press from Birmingham, Midlands Today, ITV Midlands and radio stations from not only the West Midlands but also sister counties attending, it was an event that appealed to all. It gave the people of Birmingham and others in the region a chance to hear about the changes that may happen, a chance to think about what opportunities such plans could bring to Birmingham, and a chance to develop business and prospects around the West Midlands. Attendees were able to network over lunch, so the event not only provided knowledge but gave an opportunity to leave with a handful of business cards.

Big Cat is constantly researching, trying to find out what people want to see and hear about. Researching the issues facing Birmingham and the Business sector, we strive to get speakers and produce events that will aid and give the chance to the local business community to promote themselves. With a lot of big names coming up in the last quarter of the year, such as John Hemming MP and Malcolm Harbour MP, Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future events are bound to continue to provide knowledge and opportunities to aid the Business Community.

We are forever hearing how fast technology is evolving and that the latest must-have gadget is being shelved just weeks into its release with its predecessor already in production. It’s hard to imagine how certain technology-based products can progress to an even greater level. The iPhone 4 is a classic example of such technology. With rumours of the iPhone 5 (and even iPhone 6) being rife, will Apple ever say enough is enough? I highly doubt it.

If we relate this to events, technology is an area that can really make-or-break the success of an event, with some events being solely technology-based. With this in my events-fuelled mind, here is  5 of the most creative and mind-boggling interactive event tech below to feast your eyes on.

 1)      Building Projection. Although not technically ‘new’, the projection possibilities today have been brought to a level never seen before in the Events Industry. Ideal for brand launches and with projections now being in HD, it is crystal clear that if you have the budget & space, building projection is a strong option to really drive home brand awareness and recognition.

       http://goo.gl/f1m5Z

 2)      PufferSphere. – Great visual focal point. This is breath-taking technology that forms a contemporary feel with traditional and subtle information portrayed. The beauty about this technology is that it can be manipulated to suit any event. With inwards projection, this stand-alone piece is highly versatile with minimal spacing needed.

 http://vimeo.com/1914697

 3)      iBar. This bar really takes event networking to a new level! Being easily assembled and loaded with a variety of different images/videos/interactive pieces, the bar top becomes an

interactive display that ‘links’ whatever objects are placed on it. As the video shows, the technology can be manipulated to form an Xbox Kinetic style wall feature – just going to prove that the events industry really does lead the way in interactive technology! With the main focus of this tech being the bar itself, this is perfect for networking based events as the bar is the one area that every guest will frequent, therefore maximising exposure!

 http://goo.gl/B81gP

 4)    Interactive ‘Aurora’ Table. As seen on the X Factor 2010, this funky table takes having a coffee to a new level.  With files, videos & images being able to uploaded, the interactivity of this technology has no boundary. Perfect for corporate events or exhibitions, this table can project certain processes or products through their life-cycle from start to finish. The Aurora is ideal for small to medium sized events, however not as the main focus due to its size and individual nature. Although expensive, this table would complement a main tech attraction perfectly.

 http://goo.gl/669Ta

 5)    Fog Screen Projection. Although not relatively new, I still think this technology is a great way of taking the traditional idea of projection and bringing into the modern era. Perfect for making a dramatic at any social event, this screen creates an air of mysticism and intrigue. Just make sure there are no drafts or wind traps nearby as you may end up creating a hazy cloud instead of a sharp projection!

http://goo.gl/SCN7F

 I think it’s clear to see that event technology is definitely progressing at an superb rate, with many influences being pulled from consumer products. In today’s competitive market, if you really want to make the right impression at your event, creative & innovative technology is definitely a route to pursue in order to create that sought-after ‘WOW’ factor! 

 This year, the Big Cat events team had a rare night off from the stresses and strains of event management and, as great supporters of Birmingham Forward, were keen to book a table ahead of this impressive night.  After hours of grooming and preening (and that was just the men!) Big Cat were ready to hit the ICC in style. With dinner suits and dresses galore, it was clear from the atmosphere around the venue that the 770 guests were definitely in for a night to remember.  After a champagne reception, we were shown to our table ready for the show to start. Obviously, the Big Cat events team could not help but discuss event ‘stuff’ but it is safe to say that all comments made were positive as a first-class night was produced from start to finish. A stand-out point for me was the audio and visual used throughout the show. With the ICC having state-of-the-art technology in-house, this was used to its maximum potential through raw and edgy ‘Apprentice-style’ nomination videos, with audio to match creating a contemporary feel to such a historic event. The ICC is impressive just as a blank canvas, but once dressed and ‘teched up’ it stands head and shoulders above the majority of venues within the area, firmly pinpointing Birmingham as a genuine and versatile city to host an array of diverse and unique events.

 As the champagne continued to flow, the infamous Olympic duo of Katharine Merry and Derek Redmond expertly compered the awards leading to the pinnacle of the night – overall BYPY winner. After a great reception for the deserved winner, the after-show disco ensued with even more amounts of champagne consumed.  I think it is safe to say from this point onwards the night became slightly hazy and there were definitely a few sore heads in the Big Cat office the following morning!

It was an early start for members of The Old Library team, arriving at the venue at 6am to transform the space from a still, blank canvas to a black and white themed VIP heaven. The set consisted of a  swish black matt stage with a modest catwalk sneaking into to the seating area. The guests were to be seated at elegantly decorated tables of 10, each one representing a different salon in The West Midlands. Mid-morning saw the arrival of a string of gorgeous models, ready to get some serious hair done. The Study was a hive of hair extensions, straighteners, hairsprays and teasing combs and we were lucky enough to catch a sneaky peek of the catwalk show before the start of the event.

The guests were greeted with a glass of sparkling wine and directed to their corresponding table. The event was not only due to host various prestigious awards for the outstanding stylists throughout the company, but they had also opened up a mood board competition for all guests to participate in. These were displayed in the bar area where the guests could walk by and judge other’s artistic skills.  Before the awards even began, the guests were treated to a delicious hot buffet, followed by a rather large selection of lovely home- made cakes.

The awards went down very well with all guests and the winners, very well deserved. The event ended with some afternoon tipsy-ness and general satisfaction from all parties.

As consumers have been recognizing the importance of protecting our environment, environmentalism has become a major issue in the marketplace. The sustainable message has been steadily growing in the event industry, to the point where we can now begin to talk of a green element featuring in most events.  

But is the ‘sustainable future’ the next phase of revolution? Your answer is probably yes, as environment awareness instils in the public a positive attitude toward eco-friendly and encourages people to engage a ‘green touch’ in their everyday life. According to Laroche, author of ‘Targeting consumers who are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products‘:

“Increasingly aware of the seriousness of environmental problems, customers are becoming more ecologically conscious and are seeking to purchase eco-friendly products and services, preferring firms that favour environmental practices.”

So as individuals with strong environmentally friendly attitudes, we (the people who think being eco-friendly because they do recycling and choose shower rather than bath), look for opportunities to behave in an environmentally friendly way.

Well then considering that your favourite festival has the ambition to become green but for that they will need your financial contribution, what would you do? Are you really willing to pay more for your ticket? And then add the cost of train or bus ticket? Well of course, as perfect and devoted green-event-goers, we all know that car isn’t an eco-friendly transportation.

Yes you are right, being green is expensive so how green and earth loving are we really? Like we say in France, the love for someone and in that case for something (the earth) doesn’t have a price. So why aren’t we ready to pay more?

But don’t worry, we are not the only one to have the ‘cost issue’ in mind. In fact 36% of respondents of a recent survey for Event Magazine of (July/August issue) suggested money was the biggest barrier.

Even if we can’t always act as green as we would like, the fact that we are thinking of it is already a very good move.

I believe it is time to say ‘Au Revoir’ now.

The parade was attended by over 85,000 people and my particular favourite parade group was the 40 very loud Harley Davidson motorbikes that roared through the route to finish off a very successful parade. In the afternoon there was an array of children’s entertainment, bands and street entertainment, market stalls and obviously the odd pint of Guinness was enjoyed

The Parade was the largest event set with in a culmination of smaller events held around Birmingham from 11^th -17^th March.

What is your role at Big Cat Group?

I work on developing the European business of Big Cat, with a special emphasis on shows and exhibitions. On the show side, I lead negotiations with show producers (Scooby Doo Live on Stage for example) to help them place their shows in different countries in Europe, and then find ‘promoters’ in each country who want to play the show. On the exhibition side, my role has been to find investors to finance the creation of our new exhibition and piecing together the international team to put it all together.

How did you get into events?

Like many in the entertainment business, I stumbled in.  After finishing graduate school for international diplomacy, I was looking for a job in Barcelona right after the 92 Olympics when I came across an entrepreneur  who had just bought the rights for Spain to present Disney On Ice.  I knew nothing about events, but he had just lost his only English-speaking employee, so it was a perfect fit.  Now I do international diplomacy on a daily basis….but in the entertainment world.

What are you working on at the moment?

We are creating an children’s exhibition called PRINCESS with Spanish and American partners that will open in Dublin in June; marketing and also finding new cities for a freestyle motorcycle event called Extreme Freestylers that takes place in Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in July; and preparing a Tour of a Children’s Stage Show called Little Big Club in Eastern Europe for November.

What is your favourite external event?

Over the year’s I have worked on a broad range of children’s entertainment shows. Seeing the reaction of children’s faces as their TV heroes come to life is a fantastic experience, which instills an overwhelming amount of joy, making all that hard work worthwhile.

What is your favourite thing about Birmingham?

The people.  I think the vibe in a city comes from its people, and I have always made great friends when I have been in Birmingham. I first started coming here for business in the mid-90’s and worked a lot with the NEC.  I found the team there to be very nice and hospitable, but at the same time very professional.  When I came back in 2008 and worked with the Big Cat team on the Bodies Revealed exhibition, I found exactly the same blend of hospitality and professionalism.

What is your role at Big Cat Group?

At Big Cat Group my role is Event Director, which is quite a varied role. My main focus is external events such as exhibitions, conferences and festivals. I manage exhibition logistics, the design and builds of stands and sets, as well as the production of international events.

How did you get into events?

In all honesty by mistake. I studied Product Design at University however following graduation I decided it wasn’t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I took on the role of event manager at Wooden Spoon, a charity for physically disadvantaged children. My passion for events grew from there really and I’ve been in the industry for 10 years now.

What are you working on at the moment?

At present I’m working on the logistics for Birmingham’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Big Cat has been involved in the parade for a number of years now and we’ve built up a lot of contacts along the way. The parade is a great day out for all the family and really emphasises community spirit within Birmingham. I’m also working on Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future which consists of a series of monthly and sometimes weekly events for Birmingham’s professional industry. Big Cat manages the logistics of these events as well as the marketing.

What is your favourite external event?

It would have to be Star Trek: The Exploration. This was a massive event which took place in Valencia, Spain. I was tasked with heading up the production and development of the exhibition, a job which was not easy I can assure you. Weeks of early hours and late nights finally lead to the completion of the project. Although one of the hardest events I’ve had to build, it was also one of the most rewarding.

What is your favourite thing about Birmingham?

I’d have to say the nightlife. I’m more of a bar and pub man than clubbing and Birmingham has a very broad range of them to chose from. There are lots of hidden gems within the City, you just have to take the time to find them.